Day 5.

The day started with our usual breakfast of bread and coffee. At 0830, we set off to the Versailles Palace—an emblem of France’s colourful history.

Louis XIV ‘S
2000 rooms and galleries,
20 000 servants,
2000 horses, and
2 mistresses all amounted 2 the rich history as well as our en2siasm for the day.

In addition, we visited the State apartment of the King and Queen, the King’s Chamber and the wonderfully lit Hall of Mirrors. (Hi Joel Thio, my lovely classmate! :D )

Hall of Mirrors

There was an organ made of pure gold which unfortunately, we did not get a close up. All the picturesque ceiling paintings and gold-marble embellishments were well, fit for a king. Even though it is winter and they are no flowers, the Versailles gardens were delightful— so we camwhored (as usual).

Then, we were left to our own devices at Forum des Halles (shopping mall). With the three hours given, we settled our own lunches; explored the mall and the areas around it. Some of us even got to try out the cool automated public toilets which self-flushed and self-washed with each use.

Sadly, we were reminded of The Homework as we made our way to Biblilotheque nationale de France. The teachers got us each an entry ticket—each costing 3.3Euros (approx $6.60!!!!). We were quite taken aback by horrid fee. To think we even complain about Singapore’s libraries! This came under “lessons learnt today” in our reflection booklets. We mugged till a little past six and had dinner at a restaurant amidst the Latin quarters.

Biblilotheque nationale de France

Annabelle, Wanyi.